Looking for funding? The Bush Foundation is offering grants for innovative projects.
We all know that there’s a lot of work that happens in between identifying a community problem and implementing a new “break-through” solution, especially if you want to engage your community, make the most of existing assets and work collaboratively with other organizations along the way. The Community Innovation Grants fund that process – they fund the work that it takes to create a Community Innovation.
The Bush Foundation provides Community Innovation Grants of $10,000 to $200,000. Community Innovation Grants of $500 to $10,000 are available from its intermediary partner organizations: Headwaters Foundation for Justice (MN), The Consensus Council (ND) and the South Dakota Community Foundation (SD).
Note the following about this grantee program:
- You (that is, the applicant) define your community
- You define the issue.
- Specific issues are not prioritized.
Projects can be at various stages of the innovation process including identifying the need, increasing collective understanding of the issue, generating ideas, or testing and implementing solutions. Proposals can focus on one area or span multiple stages.
Eligibility
Community Innovation Grants may be awarded to 501(c)(3) public charities or government entities (including schools). Coalitions or collaboratives are eligible to apply, but only one organization may receive the grant.
For organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) status, the Foundation accepts Community Innovation Grant applications from fiscal sponsors. The fiscal sponsor organization must submit the grant application and, if the grant is approved, becomes the grantee and receives the funds. The Bush Foundation fiscal sponsorship overview provides additional information.
Grants must be used for projects located in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota or the 23 Native nations that share the same geography.
Grants must be used for a charitable purpose.
Selection criteria
- Fit with Community Innovation Grant Program
- Does the project use inclusive, collaborative and resourceful processes?
Inclusive: meaningfully engaging key stakeholders – thoughtfully identifying those needed to create the intended change and, whenever possible, including those directly affected by the problem.
Collaborative: with partners willing to change to be more effective together
Resourceful: making the most of existing community strengths and resources
- Is the process likely to lead to a community innovation – a breakthrough in addressing a community need that is more effective, equitable or sustainable than existing approaches?
- Implementation
- Is the project plan thoughtful, realistic and does it address the identified community need?
- Does the applicant have the capacity to execute the work effectively or have a plan to meet the needed capacity?
- Impact
- Is the project likely to make a significant, sustainable difference, now or in the future?
- Will the project inspire or inform others?
- Additional Considerations
The Foundation seek a final portfolio of Community Innovation grantees with balance across:
- Size of community
- Size of applicant organization
- Size of grant request
- Demographics of communities served
- Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native nations that share the same geography.
- Type of issue addressed.
Note: At least 50% of Community Innovation grants will be for projects that address racial and/or economic disparities. For the purposes of this grant program, the Bush Foundation defines this as proposals that seek to actively reduce structural and/or systemic gaps in access, outcomes, opportunities or treatment based on race/ethnicity or economic standing.
To apply for this grant and for more information, click here.
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